[12.02] Spectroscopic Observations of Hot Spot Galaxies

C. Blaha, K. Johnson, T. Wyder (Carleton College)

Long-slit spectroscopic observations of hot spot galaxies NGC 4321
and NGC 2903 will be presented. These galaxies display knots of radio and
optical emission in their nuclear regions which suggest regions of intense
star formation. Spectroscopic observations taken with the Kitt Peak 2.1m
will be compared with radio and H-alpha images of these galaxies. Spectra
of the optical hot spots reveal strong variations from spot to spot in the
nature of the underlying continuum. Emission-line ratios in the nuclear
regions also display a wide range of physical properties among the hot spots.
These nuclear line ratios are significantly different from line ratios in
comparison HII regions in the disks of these spriral galaxies. Optical spectra
of knots of non-thermal radio emission will also be presented.